Homeland Security grants S.C. extension on federal ID

South Carolina Gov. Mark Sanford announced he will not ask the federal government for an extension on the Real ID program during a news conference today at the Statehouse in Columbia.

Mary Ann Chastain/AP

The Associated Press

Published: Monday, March 31, 2008 at 9:45 a.m.

Last Modified: Monday, March 31, 2008 at 5:46 p.m.

COLUMBIA -- The Department of Homeland Security is granting South Carolina an extension to comply with a new federal ID law. Word came in a letter from the federal agency six hours after Gov. Mark Sanford said the state would not comply with the new law.

Sanford wrote Homeland Security Michael Chertoff and told him the state does much of what the federal law requires.

Chertoff responded by saying it is clear South Carolina is on its way to complying so the state would get an extension.

Without the extension, South Carolina travelers' state driver's licenses wouldn't have been enough to get them aboard airplanes or into federal facilities beginning May 11.

Maine is the last state without an agreement with the federal government.

<p>COLUMBIA -- The Department of Homeland Security is granting South Carolina an extension to comply with a new federal ID law. Word came in a letter from the federal agency six hours after Gov. Mark Sanford said the state would not comply with the new law.</p><!-- Nothing to do. The paragraph has already been output --><p>Sanford wrote Homeland Security Michael Chertoff and told him the state does much of what the federal law requires.</p><p>Chertoff responded by saying it is clear South Carolina is on its way to complying so the state would get an extension.</p><p>Without the extension, South Carolina travelers' state driver's licenses wouldn't have been enough to get them aboard airplanes or into federal facilities beginning May 11.</p><p>Maine is the last state without an agreement with the federal government.</p>